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District heating and cooling (DHC) systems play an important role under the new European Union (EU) energy transition strategy. Thermal energy networks are helping to stimulate the development of alternative technologies based on a broad range of renewable energy sources. The present study analysed the current situation of DHC systems in Spain and provides an overview of the challenges and future opportunities that their use will entail. Its objective is to assess thermal energy conversion and management from a holistic perspective, including a study of existing energy infrastructures. The focus of this study lies on Spain given the country’s abundance of natural resources such as renewable energy sources including solar energy, biomass and geothermal energy, among others, as well as its strategic location on the map of the EU. Based on the analysis of the three factors for energy conversion in a district heating system, namely resources, technology, and management, the methodology provided an assessment of the different factors involved in running a DHC system. The results show an estimated total production for DHC networks of 1448 MWth, of which 72% is supplied purely by renewable energy sources.
Beatriz Paredes-Sánchez; José Paredes; Natalia Caparrini; Elena Rivo-López. Analysis of District Heating and Cooling Energy Systems in Spain: Resources, Technology and Management. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5442 .
AMA StyleBeatriz Paredes-Sánchez, José Paredes, Natalia Caparrini, Elena Rivo-López. Analysis of District Heating and Cooling Energy Systems in Spain: Resources, Technology and Management. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (10):5442.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Paredes-Sánchez; José Paredes; Natalia Caparrini; Elena Rivo-López. 2021. "Analysis of District Heating and Cooling Energy Systems in Spain: Resources, Technology and Management." Sustainability 13, no. 10: 5442.
The coal-producing territories in the world are facing the production of renewable energy in their thermal systems. The production of biocoal has emerged as one of the most promising thermo-energetic conversion technologies, intended as an alternative fuel to coal. The aim of this research is to assess how the model of biomass to biocoal conversion in mining areas is applied for thermal systems engineering. The Central Asturian Coal Basin (CACB; Spain) is the study area. The methodology used allows for the analysis of the resource as well as the thermo-energetic conversion and the management of the bioenergy throughout the different phases in a process of analytical hierarchy. This is carried out using a multiphase mathematical algorithm based on the availability of resources, the thermo-energetic conversion, and the energy management in the area of study. Based on the working conditions, this research highlights the potential of forest biomass as a raw material for biocoal production as well as for electrical and thermal purposes. The selected node operates through the bioenergy-match mode, which has yielded outputs of 23 MWe and 172 MWth, respectively.
Beatriz M. Paredes-Sánchez; José P. Paredes-Sánchez; Paulino J. García-Nieto. Energy Multiphase Model for Biocoal Conversion Systems by Means of a Nodal Network. Energies 2020, 13, 2728 .
AMA StyleBeatriz M. Paredes-Sánchez, José P. Paredes-Sánchez, Paulino J. García-Nieto. Energy Multiphase Model for Biocoal Conversion Systems by Means of a Nodal Network. Energies. 2020; 13 (11):2728.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz M. Paredes-Sánchez; José P. Paredes-Sánchez; Paulino J. García-Nieto. 2020. "Energy Multiphase Model for Biocoal Conversion Systems by Means of a Nodal Network." Energies 13, no. 11: 2728.